AUDITIONS: Call Girls
Written By James Carrick
Directed by Liz Cannon
On stage at The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna. October 2024
FOR MORE INFO EMAIL: [email protected]
Directed by Liz Cannon
On stage at The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna. October 2024
FOR MORE INFO EMAIL: [email protected]
About The Play
This hilarious, heart warming play had everyone in stitches at Phoenix Theatre’s play reading and selection day. England’s Beach Haven Rest Home is a small, old-style, privately owned old people’s home. Located on prime beachfront real estate, it’s ripe for redevelopment, but is proudly and defiantly owned and operated by Sarah, who is dedicated to her business and the well-being of her residents. Sarah’s under pressure from large aged-care retirement village developers, Shady Glades, with the underhanded support of a certain Councillor. He makes life difficult by trying to ‘legitimately’ put the home out of business to make way for the new retirement village, for his own financial gain. The owner and residents have to raise money to stave off the developers and ensure their home has a future. The stakes are high for all the ladies - they each have nowhere else to go. Little do they know their thwarted plans to raise money eventually come to fruition, with the most surprising and satisfying of outcomes.
Auditions: Shoreside / Phoenix Theatre Rehearsal Space, 18 Richards Avenue, Forrest Hill
Rehearsals:
- Saturday, June 1st, 3:00 PM
- Sunday, June 2nd, 11:00 am
- Saturday, June 8th, 3:00 PM (call backs)
- Sunday, June 9th, 11:00 am (call backs)
Rehearsals:
- Two weeknight rehearsals and a Sunday (TBC)
- Not everyone will be required for every rehearsal
- Rehearsals begin w/c 15 July, dress and tech rehearsals from Sunday 13 October.
Characters
Pauline:
Resident. Creative, flamboyant, pompous, arrogant, with delusions of grandeur. Elegant and artistic. In reality, a retired boarding school art teacher. Divorced and widowed, with no children. Character age guideline: 65 - 80.
Ivy:
Resident. Quick-witted, sarcastic, feisty, and fiercely protective. A single mother ahead of her time. Slightly soft around the edges and cuddly. Retired from odd jobs to make ends meet. Close to her granddaughter, Kirsty. Character age guideline: 65 - 80
Angela:
Resident. Sharp-minded and financially savvy. Formerly secretary/accountant to her philandering ex-husband, who had illegitimate children. Childless herself, she is smart and sensibly dressed. Character age guideline: 65 - 80.
Rose:
Resident. Gentle and kind, appearing innocent. Widow of a lovely man, she lost her son Ian in a motorbike accident. Her daughter Stephanie is too busy for her. Shows signs of early onset dementia, with an old-lady look. Character age guideline: 65 - 80.
Sarah Elswick:
Owner/operator of Beach Haven Rest Home. Kind, generous, patient, and dedicated, with a touch of naivety and a heart of gold. Strong. Single. Character age guideline: 35-50.
Carla/Pip/Kirsty (can be played by one actor):
Jonathan Leonard:
Town Councillor. Officious, odious, and sneaky. Single. Character age guideline: 40-55.
Father O’Dowd/Jack/Mayor (can be played by one actor):
Glen/Tim (can be played by one actor):
Phillip Dinkle:
Television celebrity. Presenter of ‘Hidden Gems’, similar to Antiques Roadshow. Suave, dashing, debonair, and a ladies’ man. Think David Dickinson or Lovejoy. Character age guideline: 55-65.
Resident. Creative, flamboyant, pompous, arrogant, with delusions of grandeur. Elegant and artistic. In reality, a retired boarding school art teacher. Divorced and widowed, with no children. Character age guideline: 65 - 80.
Ivy:
Resident. Quick-witted, sarcastic, feisty, and fiercely protective. A single mother ahead of her time. Slightly soft around the edges and cuddly. Retired from odd jobs to make ends meet. Close to her granddaughter, Kirsty. Character age guideline: 65 - 80
Angela:
Resident. Sharp-minded and financially savvy. Formerly secretary/accountant to her philandering ex-husband, who had illegitimate children. Childless herself, she is smart and sensibly dressed. Character age guideline: 65 - 80.
Rose:
Resident. Gentle and kind, appearing innocent. Widow of a lovely man, she lost her son Ian in a motorbike accident. Her daughter Stephanie is too busy for her. Shows signs of early onset dementia, with an old-lady look. Character age guideline: 65 - 80.
Sarah Elswick:
Owner/operator of Beach Haven Rest Home. Kind, generous, patient, and dedicated, with a touch of naivety and a heart of gold. Strong. Single. Character age guideline: 35-50.
Carla/Pip/Kirsty (can be played by one actor):
- Carla: Yoga instructor - exuberant and energetic.
- Pip: TV producer - professional and efficient.
- Kirsty: Ivy’s granddaughter - the perfect granddaughter.
- Character age guideline: early to late 20s.
Jonathan Leonard:
Town Councillor. Officious, odious, and sneaky. Single. Character age guideline: 40-55.
Father O’Dowd/Jack/Mayor (can be played by one actor):
- Father O’Dowd: Stereotypical Irish priest.
- Jack: Recent widower, scared, lonely, and vulnerable.
- Mayor: Larger than life, best mates with Dinkle.
- Character age guideline: 60 - 75
Glen/Tim (can be played by one actor):
- Glen: Local reporter - initially grubby and on the take.
- Tim: Kirsty’s boyfriend - an IT nerd, super sweet.
- Character age guideline: early to late 20s.
Phillip Dinkle:
Television celebrity. Presenter of ‘Hidden Gems’, similar to Antiques Roadshow. Suave, dashing, debonair, and a ladies’ man. Think David Dickinson or Lovejoy. Character age guideline: 55-65.
Preparation
The full Call Girls script will be available once your audition is confirmed, with marked passages to prepare ahead of time. Auditions will be held in a supportive group environment where you are given the opportunity to read parts you are trying out for. You may also wish to prepare a short 2-minute piece that showcases how you can characterise effectively - either of your choosing, or a monologue from the play itself. Call backs will be held for selected auditionees and will once again be in a group setting, reading selected parts. Some improvised in-character work may also take place at call backs.
Need some help, or have any questions? Email [email protected]